Bookstall - Rosemary's Romance Books
This year we have Rosemary's Romance Books providing a great supply of fiction from local and featured speakers plus reference and how-to titles.
Prices include 20% discount on pre-orders for conference delegates!
Bookstore Order Form (opens pdf document)
You can either print out the form and send it to Rosemary by snail mail or email or phone her your order (details below) - BEFORE THE END OF MAY! Your order will be waiting for you at the conference bookstall.
Rosemary's Romance Books
Shop 6, Level 1, 144 Adelaide St
Brisbane, Queensland 4000
Australia
07 3229 0088 P
07 3229 2822 F
0412 230 036 M
info@rosemarysromancebooks.com
www.rosemarysromancebooks.com
REMEMBER - send your order before the 31st of May.
Interview with Rosemary from Rosemary's Romance Books
Fiona Gregory and Zoe Younger, Diamonds are Forever team members interview Rosemary of Rosemary’s Romance Books, who will be operating the bookstore at the 2012 Diamonds are Forever Conference on the Gold Coast in August.
Why did you open a shop specializing in Romance books?
I opened Rosemary’s Romance Books in Brisbane in August 10 years ago as I couldn’t find the books I wanted to read. Nowadays, Rosemary’s is well known as the home of romantic fiction, stocking a wide range of authors and books not found anywhere else in Queensland. Our motto: “Never be without a book to read.”
Originally, the store was downstairs in the Arcade, but a few years ago you moved to Level One? How do you like this new space?
The move seems such a long time ago. I love the changes I’ve been able to make since moving to the larger space upstairs. It’s allowed me to expand the displays and there’s plenty of room to browse. My customers tell me that coming up to the store, they can leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind and lose themselves in the world of romance.
For anyone who’s not a Brisbane local, you can also purchase books online?
Yes, www.rosemarysromancebooks.com is available for anyone who can’t make it to our store in Brisbane.
You’ve operated the bookstore for a few RWA conferences now, what do you like about coming to conference?
Putting faces to names for the people who use our online store. Its lovely to meet all of our customers in person. And to meet the authors. It’s also a great opportunity for authors to meet someone who has a vested interest in selling their book.
You have a pre-order form for craft books at conference?
Yes, I’ve found this has worked really well at previous conferences to ensure there are enough craft books available to RWA members. Members fill in the pre-order form, and collect and pay at the conference. The form is available on the RWA website (see link above).
Do you have any advice for the published authors among us about selling their books in independent stores like yours?
These authors must be prepared to do promotion of their books. I’ve always found that giveaway promotional items eg bookmarks work really well.
What effect has the digital revolution had on your business and what impact do you see in the future of books and writers?
That’s a hard question. When I talk to my customers, there’s no doubt that they love the feel of a book, so I feel there will always be a place for the print book in the heart of romance readers.
What is the Steffie and how did you come to win this award?
The RWA (America) Steffie Walker Bookseller of the Year award is given annually to one special bookseller who provides outstanding service to romance readers and demonstrates notable support of romance authors and the romance genre. I won in 2009.
http://www.romancewiki.com/Romance_Writers_of_America
Thanks for taking the time to chat to us today about the conference.
No worries. I’m looking forward to seeing you all on the Gold Coast in August.
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